For a small town like Vail, Colorado we do have an excellent selection of locally owned coffee shops. I’ve reviewed a few of my favorites and listed details.
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Since the world is my office, I do go to coffee shops to work. A home office is nice but once in while you need to get out of it and socialize. So I go to our local coffee shops! Of course, I favor the local businesses, but if you have a gift card to Starbucks, I can tell you which Starbucks to go to and which to avoid.
I’m focusing on the more dedicated coffee shops, most hotel lobby’s and restaurants have coffee, but you are already there, these are most destinations, places people hang out and talk.
Black Diamond Vail Coffee Shop
Vail Mountain Coffee and Tea has received my Black Diamond rating this month. Here is why, an open and spacious environment that’s a little bit rustic, but clean, has a big high top table for those of us who like to stand and work. Outside seating, you can see them process the coffee on site if you are into that. They have plenty of space for bikes and a stand with tools if you should need a repair. You may think this odd but this coffee shop if off the beaten driving path and a lot of mountain and road bikers pass by this shop.
They process the coffee in several different ways which for coffee lovers is very exciting and oddly fun to watch. One is brewed in what looks like a chemistry experiment! This is the only place in the area that I have discovered that serves coffee in this way.
Here are the options for Brewed to Order: Pour over, Chemex, French Press, Siphon Brew- the Siphon is the chemistry experiment. If you love coffee, you need to try that for sure. The reviews from customers when I talk to them is that the coffee is delicious and worth the few minutes you need to make it. Video/images
Other choices and my new favorite are the On Tap options, no not beer but Nitro Cold Brew Medium or dark roast coffee, if you need a boost of caffeine, try this, but you might need to have your bike available because you could ride up Vail Mountain and back in about 30 minutes!
Cascara Soda from Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea in Minturn
Nitro Iced Tea is also available, and they change the flavors weekly, so there is always something new. It’s on tap, and I love to drink it with ice.
My new favorite is the Cascara Soda. What the heck is that? Well, it’s the fruit that surrounds the coffee bean that previously was tossed to get to the coffee bean. Now they use it to create something I’ve never tasted before. It’s a hint of coffee flavor with a little bit of a fruit touch, tiny bit of caffeine and slightly carbonated. It’s unusual for sure but light a tasty. I have them add ice and once in a while a touch of stevia. It’s delicious!
They have an immense tea selection if you love tea. There are about 50 tea selections, and they also process the tea in unique ways for maximum flavor.
It has the usuals of free internet and free parking which is vital in the winter.
Another reason it gets the Black Diamond rating is the employees are, and so are the owners, all around good people!
Other Vail Coffee Shops
Yeti’s coffee
Yetis is located in Vail Village in the Solaris area. This used to be my favorite but they raised the prices significantly, and with so many other choices I don’t go there much anymore. I would drink an Iced Mocha on, and the price went from $5.25 with special milk to $6.75. Honestly, if I’m paying that price, I would rather drink a glass of bubbly at Remedy in the 4 Seasons. Happy Hour Bubbly is $6! In the summer there are a bazillion kids running around, so it’s perfect for parents to sit and drink coffee and watch their kids run around. If you want to go there to work- forget it, too crowded and noisy.
In general, it gets a Green Circle rating. The Employees, however, get a Black Diamond, they are usually excellent. If not they are not there for long.
Two Arrows
Current Two Arrows Menu
Vail’s newest coffee shop. A brilliant business move in that it’s located in Root and Flower Wine Bar. The Wine bar opens at 4:00 so they are maximizing the space for which the Root and Flower group are paying rent. I’m a big fan of the Root and Flower Wine Bar! It’s owned by Samantha, Matt, and Jeremy. All wonderful people and they make a Black Diamond Gin and Tonic-more on that later!
Two Arrows is owned by Lindsay, and she is an incredible woman. She was the Yeti’s Coffee Shop manager, and now this is her new business. Also a yoga instructor so she’s flexible!
It offers the basics for coffee and some specialty drinks. The prices are reasonable compared to other shops, and it’s right in Vail Village.
Right now it’s a Blue Circle for coffee, probably until they get a bit more experience. People are Black Diamond for sure. What is Black Diamond about this coffee shop is the transition from coffee shop to wine bar! I worked one afternoon, later of course and then moved into happy hour! Kinda fun. I haven’t tried the espresso martini yet, but that should happen soon. It’s a combo of two amazing drinks and time frames?!?
Loaded Joes
Loaded Joes is located in Vail Village but it can be hard to find, and it’s located past the Starbucks. If you are walking into Vail Village and you pass Starbucks go over the Covered Bridge look to your right, and you will see stairs going down into a store, to the left of that is Loaded Joes. It’s small, but the coffee is good.
I usually give the coffee a Blue Square, but it depends on who is working, sometimes I get Black Diamond coffee and employee experience They have a high turnover and its always a crap shoot as to whom you will get to make the coffee. At this point, I don’t know the people working there. You won’t want to hang out there, not enough space, it’s more of a grab and go.
This is also a bar in the evening, but again it’s tiny so only a few of you will fit. Keep in mind it follows the Vail rule of once you go underground you will most likely have a hangover. They have shot specials all the time.
I give them a Blue Square for coffee, Green Circle for ambiance and employees.
Loaded Joes is also located in Avon that is much larger with a big outdoor deck, and they serve food. I’ll review them later so please check back or sign up for my newsletter to receive alerts to any new postings.
Starbucks
Starbucks in Vail and Lionshead gets a Green Circle, and the main reason is these are owned by Vail Resorts, so the prices are the highest in the country and the employees get paid considerably less than Starbucks employees and don’t get the same benefits. I’m not a hater of Starbucks but skip these two locations in Vail and Lionshead and if you have to go to Starbucks go to the ones located in West Vail at Safeway and City Market
There are more coffee shops around Vail, but these are a few I choose to write about at the moment. I will have complete reviews of all of the coffee shops in Vail and the surrounding communities so please check back or sign up for my email and I’ll alert you to any new postings.
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If you have any questions about anything Vail related, I will do my best to answer.
